Free expanding brake rim and water cooling circulating system for drawworks



Apr-i121, 1936. J. S. MORGAN. JR

FREE EXPANDING BRAKE RIM AND WATER COOLING CIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR DRAWWQRKS Filed March 27; 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21, 1936- J. s. MORGAN. JR

FREE EXPANDING BRAKE RIM AN D WATER COOLING CIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR .DRAWWORKS Filed March 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 21,1936. J S MORGAN JR 2,038,188 I FREE EXPANDING BRAKE RIM AND WATER COOLING CIRCULATING' SYSTEM FOR DRAWWORKS 1 Filed March 27, 1935 5 SheetsSheet 3 ll llL J. S. MORGAN JR Aprifl 21, 1936.

FREE EXPANDING BRAKE RIM AND WATER COOLING CIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR DRAWWORKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 27, 1933 my J A A ril 21, 1936. J. s: MORGAN. JR

FREE EXPANDING BRAKE RIM AND WATER COOLING CIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR DRAWWORKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 i Filed March 27, 1953 5 mu I e Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREE EXPANDING BRAKE RIM AND WATER COOLING CIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR DRAWVWORKS of Delaware Application March 27,

14 Claims.

This invention relates to hoisting drum construction and more particularly to hoisting drums for rotary drawworks in which hoisting drum construction braking means are provided, including expanding brake rims and means for maintaining brake rims cool. In the construction of hoisting apparatus, particularly of the type utilized in a rotary drilling rig commonly referred to as a rotary drawworka considerable difiiculty has been encountered in the proper application of brake rims thereto and the removal of heat from the brake rims due to the application of the brake bands thereto, particularly under the conditions of the heavy loads imposed upon such drum constructions in drilling of relatively deep Wells.

This invention is primarily directed to an improved methodand means of mounting the brake rims of such a hoisting drum construction so as to provide brake rims which may expand radially 20 and circumferentially under the influence of heat developed therein due to the frictional contact of'the brake bands thereon in conjunction with a means for removing the heat fro-m the brake rims as it is developed therein. j q 25 Another object of this invention is toprovide a freely expanding type of brake rim fora rotary'drawworks drum in which the brake rims are so constructed as to provide wearing surfaces at its ends so that the wear imposed upon the 30 brake rims due to the application of the brake bands thereto is confined to the replaceablestructure of the brake rims themselves as distinguished from the supporting structure therefor. Another object of this invention is to provide 35 an improved brake rimconstructiom which is free to expand or contract under varying temperature conditions, and means for mounting the brake rim in non-rotatable engagement with a hoisting drum, which mounting means permits of free 40 radial movement of the brake rim with respect to the supporting meansyand which brake rim is so constructed as to provide a closed circulating chamber within its inner periphery into which chamber a cooling liquid such as water may be circulated for dissipating the heat generated on repeated applications of the brake bands to the brake rims to arrest rotation of the hoisting drum. Another object of this invention is to provide a hoisting drum construction having an improved system of distribution of the cooling liquid to cool chambers formed on the inner peripheries of the brakerims of the hoisting drum, which cooling system may be termed of the series flow type as distinguished from the parallel flow type as disclosed in the co-pending application 1933, Serial No. 662,872

of David S. Faulkner, et al., Serial No. 474,549, filed August 11, 1930.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a hoisting drum construction embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation partly in section thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a free expanding brake rim embodied in my invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an end elevation partly in section of a modified form of structure embodying my invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the brake rim as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 illustrating the same as adapted to a fragmental section of the hoist-' ing drum flange.

Figure 8 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the brake rim as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of a further modified form of brake rim structure illustrating the same as adapted to the fragmental section of a hoisting drum.

Figure 11 is an elevation looking substantially in the direction of the lines lI-II of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a further modified form of brake rim embodying my invention illustrating the same as adapted to the fragmental section of a hoisting drum structure.

Figure 13 is an elevation looking substantially in the direction of the lines l3l3 of Figure 12.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I indicates a hoisting drum which may be of any suitable or desirable construction and which is supported upon a drum shaft 2.

The drum I may be of any suitable or desirable construction but is herein illustrated as being formed of two half portions 3 and 4 which are connected together at a weld 5 in substantially the manner as specifically pointed out and described in the patent issued to Edward Timbs, No. 1,670,600 of May 22, 1928.

Mounted within the drum I, or the enclosure formed within the interior of the drum between the hubs 6 and I thereof and between the shaft 2 and the drum I, is a water or cooling liquid distributing member 8. The water distributing member 8 has a centrally disposed rib portion 9 which engages the inner periphery of the drum I at the joint section between the two spool halves 3 and 4 to form a central support for.

the spooling drum. This construction results in a maximum reinforcement for the shaft 2 against undue deflection due to the loads imposed thereon and likewise serves as a reinforcement for the structure of the drum I.

The member 8 is preferably made of cast iron while the drum I is usually made as a steel casting, the two halves of which can be readily welded together to form the weld 5.

In order to interlock the central supporting rib 9 with the spool halves 3 and 4, I prefer to pro- Vide a steel ring or band III which is preferably press-fitted onto the central rib 9 to provide a steel periphery for the weld 5.

The two half portions 3 and 4 of the drum I have supporting flanges I I preferably formed integral at the outer ends of the drum for supporting freely expanding brake rims I2. Spaced from, and supported by, the flanges I I, and preferably formed integral therewith, are bolt rims I 3. The bolt rims I3 .are preferably supported from and formed integral with the flanges. II by means of cast T sections or ribs I4. Brake rim retaining rings I5 are secured to the annular bolt rims I3 by means of a plurality of bolts I6. The use of bolts I6 for holding the retaining rings I5 in place is preferred because it permits the ready removability of the retaining ring I5 for repair or replacement of the brake rims I2. The opposed flanges II and I5 are formed to provide annular recesses I7 and I8vrithin which the end portions of the brake rims I2 are seated.

Brake rims I2 are of substantially uniform section formed with end wear flanges I9which define an annular trough Within which the brake band (not shown) is confined. The wear flanges I9 take the side or lateral wear produced by the edges of the brake band and as this type of wear is material in the type of structures disclosed in the Timbs patent above referred to, the end wear is thus confined to a removable and replaceable portion of the hoisting drum structure. In order to insure the lateral wear occasioned by the edges of the brake bands being confined to the brake rim flanges IS, the spacing between the brake rim flanges I9 is made slightly less than the spacing between the flanges I I and I5.

In order to position the brake nms I2 in nonrotatable relation to the drum I and permit free radial expansion of the rims I2, I prefer to form the faces of the flanges II and I5 to provide a plurality of radial keyways into which radial keys 20 and 2| are fitted. The radial keys 20 and 2| fit in complementary radial keyways 22 and 23 formed on the end faces of the rims I2. The keys 2!] and. 2| traverse the annular recesses I1 and I8 and are retained in double shear in the flanges II and I5, respectively.

The keys 20 are preferably welded in position to the flange II and the keys 2| extend radially inward to interlock the rim I3 and the flange or retaining ring I5 in keyed relation and the keys 2I are retained against radial displacement by means of the bolt I5. Brake rims I2 are initially centered with respect to the drum on the inner peripheral surface defined by the annular recesses I I and I 8. The radial width of the recesses I I and I8 is greater than the radial width of the flange portion I9 of the brake rims in order to permit the radial expansion of the rims I2, consequently when the brake rims become heated from repeated brake applications, they expand circumferentially and radially. The keys 28 and 2] form radial guides for the expanding brake rims I2 and. maintain the concentricity of the rims I2 with respect to the drum axis. With the construction thus provided, the driving area in contact between the rim keyways and the keys is at all times substantially constant.

In order to obtain the effect of a more precise centering condition, the keys 20 are positioned vectorially half way between the keys 2I as illustrated by thestaggered or vectorial positioning of the keyways 22 and 23 in Figure 3, although if desired, the keys 2!! and 2I may be aligned vectorially.

The brake rims I2 are formed in any suitable or desirable manner to provide on their inner peripheries water circulating chambers 24 defined by rim liners 25 which are welded to the brake rims on their inner peripheries.

In order to permit of relative expansion and contraction of the brake rims I2 and liners 25, the liners 25 are formed with a compensating contour which may be in the form of corrugations 25 of any suitable or desirable form to effect a bellows or diaphragm action between two portions of the thus provided brake rim assembly.

Inlet and outlet openings 21 and 28, respectively, are formed in the liners 25. Positioned between the inlet and outlet openings 26 are dams 29 to define a continuous one-way liquid circulating channel around the inner periphery of the brake rims I2.

Positive circulation of cooling liquid or water to the brake rim chambers 23 is supplied from feed water pumps (not shown) that are connected with the drum assembly through rotary stuffing box connections, one form of which is specifically illustrated in the co-pending application of David S. Faulkner et al., Serial No. 474,549.

The water circulating through the rotary stuffing box passes into the inlet passage 30 formed axially of the shaft 2 to a radial hole 3| which terminates within an annular recess 32 formed in the member 8. A pipe 33 is threaded into the member 8 and communicates with the annular recess 32 through a cored recess 34 formed in the member 8. The inlet connnection 21 of the brake rim I2 is connected with the pipe 33 through an L fitting 35, expansion joint 36, and flexible hose coupling 31. The outlet 28 communicates with the central passage 38 of the member 8 through a similar set of connections, including the pipe 39 which connects parallel the connections heretofore set forth for the delivery of the cooling liquid or water from the. cored recess 34' to the inlet 21.

The water or cooling liquid which thus circulates from the source through the first or lefthand brake rim of the hoisting structure passes back to the member 8, and from the member 8 or central passage 38 thereof is delivered through a similar set of connections, including the pipes 40 to the inlet 21 of the right-hand brake rim I2, and is circulated from the outlet 28 of the righthand brake rim I2 back in a similar manner to the passage 4|, which communicates with the discharge outlet 42 through a radial shaft hole 43 and annular recess 44.

The connections to the two brake rims I2 on opposite sides of the hoisting drum are positioned at diametrically opposed points of the hoisting drum structure for the purpose of maintaining substantially a static balance of the entire drum assembly. In order to statically blalance the drum assembly accurately, or in case of high speed drums where it is preferable to dynamically balance the drum structure, I prefer to provide diametrically opposite to the brake rim connections counterbalance weight pockets 45 Within which counterbalance weights are positioned. In order to accurately dynamically and statically balance the structure, I prefer to provide sectional weights 46 which may be mounted within the recess 45 and be secured in position by means of bolts 41. The sectional weights 46 may be of varying length and thickness and the variation of the length of the weights 45 may be utilized for the purpose of shifting the center of mass vectorially if desired.

Figures to 9, inclusive, illustrate a modified form of my invention of a freely expanding brake rim adapted to a conventional form of drum structure as illustrated in the David S. Faulkner, et a1. application above referred to. Similar parts of the structure as illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 have been designated with similar numerals, with the addition of an exponent a thereto.

In this modified form of my construction, the freely expanding water cooled brake rim l2 is mounted on the flange I I and is retained in position by a retaining flange l5 with a plurality of bolts Mi The rim I2 is held in non-rotative relation with the drum I by means of keys Ml and Zi which fit in the flanges H and l5 respectively.

In order to obtain the maximum width in the braking face of the brake rims [2 within the available space provided in a conventional drawworks, the outer face of the flange I5 is made flush with the outer face of the brake rim I2. To restrain the brake rim l2 from lateral movement away from the flange Il the rim l2 and flange l5 are provided with cooperating surfaces at 5ll which limit the clearance to a clear floating fit. The clearance at the cooperating surfaces 5% is proportioned so as to prevent the keys 2| from taking any lateral load incident to the movement of the brake rim IZ The brake rim l2 is water cooled, as described in connection with the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, although it might be cooled in any other suitable or desirable manner. It is to be understood that the flanges l5 can be formed at the outer face in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figure 1, that is, with an annular recess It! for confining the outer portion of the brake rim flange I9.

In Figures 11 and Vthere is illustrated a further modification of the brake rim structure embodying my invention, and in this modification similar parts have been designated with similar numerals with the addition of an exponent b thereto.

The structure as illustrated in Figure 10 differs essentially from the modification heretofore set forth in that the wear flanges lll are formed separately from the brake rim 12 and can be readily replaced if necessary, either with, or separately from, the replacement of the brake rim l2 The Wear flanges l9 protect the flanges II and I5 from the lateral Wear occasioned by the edges of the brake band. The rim [2 and wear flanges are retained in position with keys and Zl respectively.

In the modification of my invention as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, similar parts have been designated with similar numerals with the addition of an exponent c.

The structure as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 differs essentially from the structures hereinbefore specifically described, particularly in that the brake rim I2 is non-rotatably keyed at 20 and 2| to the wear flanges I9 The wear flanges I!) are in turn separately keyed to the flanges H and l5 respectively.

A plurality of dowels 52 form the key connection between the outer wear flange i9? and the flange l5, and two very substantial keys 53 form the key connection between the flanges I I I 5 and l9.

While I have herein illustrated several modifie'd forms of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the modifications herein set forth which have been specifically set forth for the purpose of illustrating forms which my invention may take. It is, however, to be understood that I do not specifically limit myself to the modifications as shown, but that my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims and is obviously subject to further varied modification without departing from the spirit of my invention, as will be apparent from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim, a supporting means for slidably mounting the brake rim to enable the brake rim to expand or contract freely without restraining action by the supporting means, means'to non-rotatably position said rim with respect to the supporting means, the latter said means including radially disposed keyed connections on the end faces of the rim.

2. A device of the class described, including a brake rim having radially extending end flanges to define a channel shaped trough on the outer periphery, a supporting means wherein the brake rim is slidably mounted to enable the brake rim to expand or contract freely without restricted action by the supporting means, means to nonrotatably position the rim with respect to the supporting means, said'means including radially disposed keyed connections on the end faces of said rim.

3. In a hoisting drum assembly, the combination of a drum shaft, a drum mounted thereon, brake rims having liquid circulating passages formed therein at the opposed ends of the drum, the drum including a spool section spaced from the shaft, an inlet and outlet member within the space between the spool section and the shaft, and the inlet and outlet member structure providing means for supporting the spool section of the drum at its central section.

. '4. In a hoisting drum assembly, the combination of a. drum shaft, a drum mounted thereon, brake rims at the opposite ends of the drum, the brake rims having cooling liquid circulating passages formed on their inner periphery, the drum including a spool section spaced from the shaft, a plurality of members within the space between the spool section and the shaft, means extending longitudinally of the shaft for conveying the cooling liquid to one of the members, means for conveying the liquid from said member to one of said rims, means including a passage through a second member for conveying the liquid from said rim to the rim at the opposite end of the drum, means for conveying the liquid from the latter said rim to another of said members, and means extending longitudinally of the shaft for conveying the liquid from the. latter member.

5. In a hoisting drum assembly, the combination of a spooling drum having end flanges, a shaft supporting the drum, the drum being formed of half sections, each of which includes substantially a half of the spooling portion of the drum, means to support a plurality of brake rims in non-rotative relation to the drum, a member positioned on the shaft, the member having means for supporting the section of the drum at the joint formed between the two halves, means for securing the drum halves together to confine the member within the drum, means in communication with the member for conducting a cooling liquid to and away from the brake rims, and means to convey the liquid from the member.

6. In a hoisting drum assembly, the combination of a spooling drum having end flanges, brake rims secured to the drum, a shaft supporting the drum, the drum being formed of half sections. each of which includes substantially a half of the spooling portion of the drum, means securing the half sections together at a substantially central joint, a member positioned within the space between the spooling portion of the drum and the shaft and in position to support the drum at the central joint, means for conveying a cooling liquid to the member, means for conveying a cooling liquid from the member to one of said brake rims, and means for conveying the cooling liquid from the brake rims.

'7. A device of the class described including a brake rim, means for supporting the brake rim at its respective edges, means for non-rotably positioning the rim with respect to the supporting means, and renewable wear plates positioned between the supporting means and the rims.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim, a supporting means for the brake rim including annular recesses for receiving the ends of the brake rim, renewable wear plates positioned in said recesses between the ends of the brake rim and the supporting means, means for non-rotatably positioning the brake rim with respect to the wear plates, and means for connecting the wear plates with the supporting means.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim, means for supporting the brake rim wherein the brake rim is slidably mounted to enable the same to expand or contract freely without retarding by the supporting means, renewable wear plates interposed between the ends of the brake rim and the supporting means, means including radially disposed keyed connections on the end faces of the rim for non-rotatably positioning the brake rim with respect to the wear plates, and means for removably connecting the wear plates with the supporting means.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim, means for supporting the brake rim wherein the brake rim is slidably mounted to enable the same to expand or contract freely without retarding by the supporting means, renewable Wear plates interposed between the ends of the brake rim and the supporting means, means including radially disposed keyed connections on the end faces of the rim for non-rotatably positioning the brake rim with respect to the wear plates, and means for removably connecting the wear plates with the supporting means, the brake rim having a cooling retaining ring positioned and secured to the brake rimon its inner periphery and spaced therefrom to define a cooling liquid circulation chamber within the rim, and means to convey a coolant to and from said circulating chamber.

11. A device of the class described, including a brake rim having wear flanges at its ends to define a brake band channel in the outer periphery thereof, means for supporting the brake rim adjacent its respective ends, a plurality of radially extending keyways formed in the end faces of said rim, and a plurality of keys carried by said supporting means, said keys being adapted to engage the keyways in said rim.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim, a supporting means for the brake rim including annular recesses for receiving the ends of the brake rim, a plurality of radially extending keyways formed in the end faces of said rim, and a plurality of keys carried by said supporting means and traversing the annular recesses thereof, said keys being adapted to engage the keyways in said rim.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim having wear flanges at its ends to define a brake band channel in the outer periphery thereof, a supporting means for the brake rim including annular recesses for receiving the ends of the brake rim, a plurality of radially extending keyways formed in the end faces of said rim, and. a plurality of keys carried by said supporting means and traversing the annular recesses thereof, said keys being adapted to engage the keyways in said rim.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a brake rim, means for supporting the rim at its respective edges to enable the rim to expand or contract freely without restraining action by the supporting means, driving means between the brake rim and the supporting means for non-rotatably positioning the rim with respect to the supporting means, said driving means including a plurality of driving contact areas, said driving means being operative so that the brake rim can expand and contract radially without substantially varying the amount of the contact areas in driving engagement.

JOHN SHELBY MORGAN, JR. 

